Don't be ashamed! Do what I do whenever Umberto Eco starts leaping into more languages than I can cope with and read for story not references. As it happens, most of the references are explained within the story as it moves along, so a lack of an education steeped in agriculture and Arthurian legend is not the drawback it may at first seem!

And then if you're left with any pressing questions: spontaneous fandom book club!